GLOSSARY

Capacity Building
Capacity building is any activity that enhances the ability of an organization to achieve its mission, vision, goals, and objectives; it is both a process and a desired outcome. The process includes assessing and developing skills, systems, people and other resources that organizations use to meet critical community needs; it is focused on strengthening the ability to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world. The desired outcomes of capacity building are organizational effectiveness, adaptability, and sustainability.

Capacity Building Providers
Professional consultants, facilitators and management support organizations that work with nonprofits to build on strengths, help channel existing resources, and determine strategies and action steps needed for long-term sustainability and effectiveness. Capacity building providers tend to be generalists, are external to the organization and hired on a contract basis. Their aim is to empower, strengthen, and build independence.

First Cohort
This refers to the first group of agencies that participated in the BEST Pilot Project during 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. These agencies included Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities, Flint Neighborhood Improvement, Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Greater Flint Arts Council, Loose Senior Citizen Center, Metro Housing Partnership, National Council Alcoholism/Addictions, Planned Parenthood, Priority Children, Resource Center and Salem Housing.

Organizational Assessment
Assessment is often used interchangeably with diagnosis, but the latter term has a more negative connotation because of its common medical usage. In the BEST Project, assessment denotes a multi-faceted process that includes both objective and subjective evaluation of all management and operational functions including: governance, management, culture, technology, financial stewardship and resource development. Self-evaluation is viewed as an important component of the overall process.

Organizational Effectiveness
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) defines organizational effectiveness as “the ability of an organization to fulfill its mission through a blend of sound management, strong governance, and a persistent rededication to achieving results.” In this and other definitions, there is an implication that organizational effectiveness is an ongoing goal that must be monitored over time.

Peer Learning and Reflection
Peer learning can occur in many informal ways, but in the BEST Project it is supported by a facilitated network.

Pilot Project
This refers to the agencies that participated in first BEST Assessment and Capacity Building Phase from 2003-2006. A total of fifteen agencies participated in the Assessment Phase and eleven agencies were funded for capacity building; a twelfth agency was funded separately for capacity building. In addition, another agency sat out of the Capacity Building for one year but did participate in the second year (2005-2006).

Second Cohort
The second cohort refers to the second group of agencies to be funded by the Flint Funders Collaborative. Eight agencies have participated in the second cohort Assessment Phase. These agencies included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Court Street Village Housing, Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint Public Library, Flint Youth Theater, IMA Children’s Recreation Fund, Jewish Community Services and YWCA of Greater Flint. All eight agencies are eligible to apply for the Capacity Building Phase.

Technical Assistance Providers
These are experts in specific management and operational areas, such as information technology, public relations, marketing and communication. They may be internal staff in larger organizations. Smaller organizations usually contract externally for these functions. Whether they are local or regional, accessibility and reliability are key considerations. They tend to be hired to come in and perform a discrete service for a limited period of time.

--Project Guide Table of Contents--

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